Proverbs 29:5

5 A man who flatters^[a] his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.^[b]

Proverbs 29:5 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:5

A man that flattereth his neighbour
That speaks smooth things to him gives him flattering titles, speaks fair to his face, highly commends him on one account or another: spreadeth a net for his feet;
has an idle design upon him, and therefore should be guarded against; his view is to draw him into a snare and make a prey of him; he attacks him on his weak side, and hopes to make some advantage of it to himself; wherefore flatterers should be avoided as pernicious persons; or he spreads a net for his own feet, and is taken in the snare which he had laid for his neighbour; or falls into the pit he dug for him, as Gersom observes; see ( Psalms 140:5 ) ( Hosea 5:1 ) .

Proverbs 29:5 In-Context

3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.

4 By justice a king brings stability to a land, but a man [who demands] "contributions" demolishes it.

5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

6 An evil man is caught by sin, but the righteous one sings and rejoices.

7 The righteous person knows the rights of the poor, but the wicked one does not understand these concerns.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit is smooth on
• [b] Pr 26:28; 27:6; 28:23